Filipina chef brings Pinoy flavor to Obama's meals

by Don Tagala, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

WASHINGTON, D.C. - With Filipina executive chef Cristeta Comerford at the helm, dining at the White House is nothing less than presidential.

She has served President George and Laura Bush in 2005.

And on this historic day, she has whipped up a menu for Barack Obama as he starts his second term in office.

"We're gonna make sure that he gets fed and he gets fed well," Comerford said.

Filipina executive chef Cristeta Comerford

She says the Obamas are open to trying new cuisine. She uses fresh ingredients grown from the White House garden and flavors them Filipino-style.

"There's one thing you can't take away from me, I'm Filipino at heart, I was born in the Philippines, it's always in me, no matter what I cook, how I cook, there's always something Filipino in there," Comerford said.

Obama has repeatedly told Americans that this is a country where you can make it if you're willing to try.

Comerford said he may have been telling her life story.

"I came from the streets of Catalunia, that's in Sampaloc, you know like playing tumbang preso, on a weekday after school, never would I have thought that years down the road, I'll be here doing a work that's very very important," she said.